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About the Program

Located in the College of Education and Human Services, the UIS Department of Social Work offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree that is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students are trained as generalists to provide direct service to clients in a wide variety of human service agencies.

UIS Department of Social Work Mission:

Prepare graduates for bachelor level social work practice and lay the foundation for graduate social work education. A generalist approach is used to teach social work values, promote social and economic justice, and improve the quality of life for all persons. The program emphasizes an empowerment model that builds on client strengths and abilities.

UIS Department of Social Work Goals:

Prepare students for generalist practice with various social systems by teaching skills in critical thinking, communication, research, and working with colleagues and supervisors.

Building on a liberal arts foundation, provide knowledge concerning the history of the profession, social structures, social policy, and relevant theoretical frameworks.

Teach students to practice in accordance with social work values and ethics.

Provide a model of empowerment to address social and economic justice and improve the quality of life for all persons, with specific attention to diverse groups and at-risk-populations.

UIS Department of Social Work Objectives:

Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.

Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.

Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.

Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.

Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes.

Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.

Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.

Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities.

Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.

Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.